Article Archive
Browse all published articles about living in Japan
Japan Proposes Cutting Food Tax to 1% - Benefits Remain Uncertain
Japan's government proposes cutting food consumption tax from 8% to 1%, potentially saving families 60,000 yen yearly. However, economists warn compan...
JR Tokai and Shizuoka Sign Deal to Begin Linear Shinkansen Construction
JR Tokai and Shizuoka Prefecture signed an environmental agreement on July 18, 2026, ending years of deadlock and allowing Linear Shinkansen construct...
Apple Raises iPhone Prices in Japan by 10% Amid Yen Weakness
Apple increased iPhone prices in Japan by approximately 10% on July 18, 2026, due to yen weakness. Even budget models now exceed 100,000 yen, promptin...
JAL Introduces Online Alcohol Testing After Crew Violations Delay Flights
JAL submitted new alcohol prevention measures to transport authorities after two crew members violated drinking rules in May, causing flight delays. T...
Japan to Decide on Food Tax Cut by Early August Amid Political Divide
Japan's government will decide by early August whether to reduce consumption tax on food items, potentially lowering rates from 10% to 9%. The decisio...
Diet Extends Session to Pass Imperial Household Law Allowing Male Adoptions
Japan's Diet extended its session to July 25 after passing Imperial Household Law amendments allowing adoption of male heirs from former imperial fami...
Record Rainfall Strikes Tochigi and Gunma: What Foreign Residents Need to Know
Record rainfall on July 17 caused evacuations for over 100,000 people in Tochigi and Gunma. Linear precipitation bands produced 100mm/hour rainfall, t...
Japan Debates Tax Reform: New Income Benefits by 2029, Food Tax Cut Stalled
Japan's working group agrees on income-based benefits by 2029, but consumption tax reduction on food remains stalled despite Prime Minister's support....
Single-Elderly Households Hit Record 9.3 Million as Japan Ages Rapidly
Japan's single elderly households reached a record 9.3 million, the highest since 1986. This demographic shift impacts housing, healthcare jobs, and c...
Working Mothers Hit Record High as Most Japanese Households Report Hardship
Working mothers now comprise 81.2% of households with children under 18 in Japan, a record high. Despite average household incomes rising 7.3%, over h...
Nichirei Cyberattack Disrupts Food Supply Chain Across Japan
Nichirei confirmed a cyberattack disrupted its systems, causing food shortages at KFC, Aeon, and other major chains. Operations resume July 17, but fu...
Record Heat Wave Sends 4,500 to Hospital, Damages Airport Infrastructure
Over 4,500 people hospitalized for heatstroke in one week as temperatures hit 38°C across Japan. Extreme heat damaged Haneda Airport runway, causing f...
Extreme Heat Wave Hits Japan: Heat Stroke Prevention Measures Urged
A severe heat wave is spreading across Japan, with temperatures exceeding 35°C. Authorities urge proper air conditioning use, frequent hydration, and ...
Food Prices Rising in Japan as Packaging and Material Costs Surge
Major Japanese food manufacturers are raising prices on biscuits, beverages, and other products due to increased packaging and raw material costs, imp...
Historic Yen Weakness: 61% of Japanese See Negative Economic Impact
61% of Japanese see negative economic impact from historic yen weakness at 162 per dollar. Expats face reduced purchasing power, higher import costs, ...
LINE Yahoo Data Breach Exposes 7.1 Million Game User Accounts
LINE Yahoo disclosed that 7.1 million game user identification records leaked to external companies. The breach affects LINE mobile game users but doe...
Western Japan Faces Dangerous Heat Wave with Temperatures Exceeding 38°C
Western Japan faces dangerous heat exceeding 38°C through mid-July. Authorities urge proper air conditioning use, frequent hydration, and avoiding out...
Imperial Household Law Amendment Passes Lower House in Historic Vote
Japan's Lower House passed historic Imperial Household Law amendments allowing female royals to retain status after marriage and permitting adoption f...
Mobile Suica Outage: JR East Offers Compensation After Charging Failures
JR East will compensate Mobile Suica users after server overload on July 1st prevented account charging. The disruption affected thousands relying on ...
Rice Prices Fall Below ¥3,500 per 5kg for First Time Since Early 2025
Rice prices at Japanese supermarkets dropped below ¥3,500 per 5kg for the first time since early 2025, reaching ¥3,458 as inventory levels normalize, ...